Dr. Pondella's studies focus on the ecology and evolution of nearshore marine fishes. His is primarily conducted on the California coast, including the offshore islands, and in the Gulf of California. His ecological work concerns the temporal and spatial variation of these marine fish communities. He also use moleculDr. Pondella's studies focus on the ecology and evolution of nearshore marine fishes. His is primarily conducted on the California coast, including the offshore islands, and in the Gulf of California. His ecological work concerns the temporal and spatial variation of these marine fish communities. He also use molecular techniques to research the phylogeography of the temperate and tropical eastern Pacific. 

Shana Goffredi

Assistant Professor, Biology

B.A., University of San Diego; Ph.D., UC Santa Barbara

Dr. Goffredi's primary research interests concern beneficial symbiotic interactions between bacteria and either invertebrates or plants. Symbiotic bacteria are fundamental to the survival of many multicellular organisms, yet we are only now beginning to fully appreciate the diversity and pervasiveness of microbial partnerships with higher organisms. These symbioses, at the heart of our research program, represent the extreme ways by which microbes have had a profound effect on their hosts, including changes in morphology, physiology, ecology, and even evolution. Many symbiotic partnerships have allowed organisms to exploit environments that are not generally available to most and have resulted in unusual adaptations by both partners. We study these associations, many of which remain largely unexplored, from different perspectives, including the evolution of unusual host structures, symbiont genome structure and content, novel physiological and biochemical capabilities of both partners, and unique ecological adaptations. 

Gary Martin

Professor, Biology

B.A., M.A., California State College, Sonoma; Ph.D., UC Berkeley

Dr. Martin is interested in the morphology of invertebrate cells and tissues, especially those involved with fighting infections and disease. Most of the work in his lab has focused on species of interest to aquaculture such as shrimp and most recently the giant keyhole limpet, Megathura crenulata. In the Fall, Dr. Martin teaches zoology, and in the spring he teaches either comparative invertebrate morphology and physiology or histology.

Joseph Schulz

Associate Professor, Biology; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry

B.S., Indiana University; Ph.D., UC San Diego

Dr. Schulz's research focuses on the activity and evolution of venom peptides in fish-hunting cone snails. The venom peptides are neurotoxins--valuable tools for basic research and biomedicine. His laboratory utilizes techniques in biochemistry, molecular biology, and electrophysiology.